The UK Fiancé Visa is a immigration route for couples looking to get married in the United Kingdom. As we approach the implementation date for the new Finance Visa financial requirements, on April 11th 2024, it’s crucial for applicants to stay updated and understand how the changes apply to their application.
The recent updates have undeniably made the process more daunting, emphasising the need for applicants to be meticulously prepared. With these alterations aimed at ensuring the financial stability of couples entering the UK, it’s imperative to delve into what these changes entail and how they impact the application process.
Key Aspects of the UK Fiancé Visa
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose of the UK Fiancé Visa | A pathway for couples to marry in the UK |
| Recent Changes | Increased financial requirements, making it more difficult for applicants to satisfy The Home Office’s requirements |
Let’s explore the UK Fiancé Visa, break down its new upcoming requirements, and understand its required documentation.
What Is The UK Fiancé Visa?
The UK Fiancé Visa is a key immigration route for individuals hoping to marry their British or UK settled partners in in the United Kingdom. However, the fiancé visa, unlike a UK spouse visa, only grants the holder a temporary immigration status, meaning that it is tailored and designed specifically for engagement and marital purposes.
The fiancé visa only offers a six-month period of validity in the UK, in which the couple must get married or form a civil partnership. This visa type does not allow for employment or work in the UK, however, importantly, it lays the foundation for a switch into a UK spouse visa, which does grant the holder to work, study, and travel in and out of the UK
The fiancé visa’s structure is intentionally designed to facilitate the transition to a spouse visa.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Validity | 6 months |
| Employment Permission | Not allowed |
| Transition to Spouse Visa | Allowed post-marriage, granting the right to work and reside in the UK |
The New UK Fiancé Visa Financial Requirements in 2024
The financial requirements change for the UK fiancé visa, as well as spouse and other partner visas, will see pivotal changes in Spring 2024.
Starting April 11th, 2024, the financial threshold required for a fiancé to be sponsored will increase from the current rate of £18,600 to £29,000 annually. Furthermore, this category of visas financial threshold will again rise to £34,500 later in the year, and yet again in early 2025 to £38,700.
It’s vital for applicants to note that any applications submitted before the date of enforcement of the new thresholds will be subject to the existing £18,600 requirement. This means that, any applicants who make and submit their application before April 11th 2024, will not need to earn £29,000 per year and instead only £18,000, as detailed in our UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirement 2024.
| Threshold | Effective Date | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Current | Pre-April 11th, 2024 | £18,600 |
| 1st Increase | April 11th, 2024 | £29,000 |
| 2nd Increase | Late 2024 (date yet to be announced) | £34,500 |
| 3rd Increase | Early 2025 (date yet to be announced) | £38,700 |
What Are The Ways To Meet The Financial Requirement For The UK Fiancé Visa
With the new financial requirements for the UK Fiancé Visa set to take place, applicants may take a more multifaceted approach. Applicants may want to leverage and utilise a variety of income sources to meet the increased thresholds.
Sources Of Income Applicants Can Use To Meet The New Financial Requirement
Cash Savings
Cash savings are a straightforward yet substantial method to meet the financial requirement. However, the cash savings amount will also escalate in proportion with the income threshold increases. For example, under the current threshold of £18,600, if an applicant wants to use cash savings to meet the requirement, they must demonstrate they have at least £62,500 in a personal savings account, however, under the new, upcoming rules, if an individuals salary is below the £29,000 threshold, you would need to demonstrate £88,500 in savings. This amount will progressively increases with each threshold adjustment.
Savings must be:
- Held in cash in personal or savings accounts, either solely or jointly owned.
- Kept in a financial institution that is properly regulated.
- Maintained for at least six months prior to the application date.
- Clearly derived from legal sources, with the origin of these savings transparently declared.
Pension Income
Pension income is another option for applicants to meet the financial requirements. This is particularly relevant for retirees or those nearing retirement. The UK Home Office considers both UK and overseas pensions towards the financial requirement.
Non-Employment Income
This category allows for earnings from rental properties, stocks & dividends, and other investment incomes. This income must be consistent, reliable, and verifiable through appropriate documentation like rental agreements or dividend statements, as this ensures that they contribute towards meeting the fiancé visa financial threshold.
Combining Different Sources Of Income
Applicants and their sponsors also have the option to combine various sources of their income in order to meet the total requirement amount. These include both employment and non-employment income, pension payments, and cash savings However, it’s important to note that there are restrictions on combining certain sources of income, such as self-employment and directorship earnings, with other income types.
Combined Income Of Partners
The collective income of the UK sponsor and the applicant can also be used to satisfy the financial requirements. This more collaborative approach allows couples to gather both of their resources, however, all included income must be verifiable and expected to continue upon the applicant’s relocation to the UK.
What Documents Do You Need To Meet The Financial Requirement For The UK Fiancé Visa?
Preparing and submitting the correct documentation is a vital step in demonstrating compliance with the UK Fiancé Visa’s financial requirements. The documents submitted will act as tangible, clear evidence of the applicant’s and their sponsor’s financial stability in the UK, proving that they have the capability to support themselves without relying on any public funds.
Employment Income
For applicants relying on employment income to meet the financial criteria, the Home Office requires several specific documents:
- Payslips: Six months of payslips if paid monthly, or the equivalent if paid weekly, bi-weekly, or bi-monthly.
- Bank Statements: Corresponding six months of bank statements, clearly showing the salary being deposited.
- Employment Letter: A letter from the employer, detailing the position, salary, time & length of employment, type of contract (Permanent, Temporary, Fixed etc…), and confirmation of any ongoing employment.
Self-Employment Income
Applicants utilising self-employment income must provide:
- Tax Returns: The most recent full tax year’s returns, verified by the relevant tax authority in the applicants country of origin (e.g., HMRC in the UK).
- Business Bank Statements: Six months of statements showing income and expenses.
- Financial Statements: Certified financial statements for the last full financial year.
Non-Employment Income
For non-employment income, such as income from rental properties or investments, these documents are usually required:
- Rental Agreement: A current rental agreement for properties owned.
- Bank Statements: Statements showing deposits from rental income.
- Investment Statements: Official documents proving dividends or interest earned.
Cash Savings
Applicants utilising their cash savings should provide:
- Bank Statements: At least six months of statements from individual or joint accounts showing the required savings balance has been maintained.
- Letter from the Bank: A letter confirming the savings and that the funds have been available for the required period.
Pension Income
Documents Needed for individuals using their pension income:
- Pension Statements: Official statements detailing the pension amount received for the last full financial year.
- Bank Statements: Statements showing the pension being deposited into a bank account.
Conclusion
The process to obtaining a UK Fiancé Visa can be complex and difficult to tackle alone. The changes set to take affect on April 11th 2024, particularly in financial affecting the requirement criteria, will only amplify this visa types difficulty.
With the effects that the new regulations will pose, instructing Professional Legal Assistance is essential. Our team of experienced Spouse Visa Lawyers are experienced in immigration law and have a 100% success rate in Spouse and family based immigration applications in the past 12 months. We understand the nuances of each requirement and the importance of clear documentation as such we can help you maximise and optimise your applications chances of a successful outcome.
Don’t leave your future to chance
Contact us today for a consultation, and take the first step towards your new life with your partner in the UK.
